Mother s Day Edition. May 8, 2016 Sunday News. Worship every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. 10:50 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. VIBRANT INCLUSIVE PROGRESSIVE

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1 May 8, 2016 Sunday News Mother s Day Edition VIBRANT INCLUSIVE PROGRESSIVE Having attended MCC Toronto for 22 years, I sometimes ask myself what keeps drawing me back? The answer is always clear: here I find the God of Love. We are all on a spiritual path and we all are a gift to one another. Friendships formed here are rooted in giving giving to each other and to our community. There are so many ways to get involved. Currently, I lead the team of Lectors and I m on the Altar Guild, the Hand Bell team, and the Anointing and Communion team. I also sing in the community choir, assist the Seniors Network, and may have a spot in the homecoming Got Talent show! (See the rest of Marilyn Byers story on the back page) On Mothers Day at MCC Toronto, all mothers are invited to stand behind the altar rail to sing part of the Consecration. This is a huge blessing to many. But, to some, it is a moment of heartache revisited. Perhaps their mother died this year or they never knew their birth mother or they have lost their family due to coming out. The list of why is longer than today s line of people at the communion rail. I will never forget the anguish of some of those stories I have had the honour of hearing as a deacon. I am blessed to be a mother of Leslie and Wendy and have to three lovely grandchildren: Ryan (16); Kailyn (6); Blake (2). (See the rest of Sandra Millar s story on the back page) Worship every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. 10:50 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

2 Soloist Mark Cassius is a graduate of Sheridan College s Music Theatre Program. He has been featured in Ragtime and Shenandoah (on Broadway), Cats, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber In Concert, The Shaw Festival. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (with Donny Osmond), Miss Saigon and Showboat. He was featured in the role of Mr. Magix in The Stratford Festival s production of My One and Only and was critically acclaimed for his performance. He spent eight years with the worldrenowned acapella group, The Nylons. Since leaving the group in 2005, he has focused on instructing in the disciplines of Music and Theatre, and most recently appeared on Broadway in the Tony nominated revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. He has released several singles, Keep Holding On, Alone, and Starry Night, all of which are available on itunes. Sharing at MCC Toronto is a simple joy and an absolute pleasure. Order of Service At the symbol, please rise as you are able. Welcome Home Prelude I Will Sing Praises Call To Worship Processional Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth Opening Prayer Anthem My God Is A Rock Prayers of the People Sacred Readings Alleluia/Glory to God Lessons for Life Mastering the Four Essential Trusts: Trust In Life Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, CM Time of Reconciliation Spirit Of The Living God Anointing Breathe On Me Breath Of God We Come To Thee Jesus Prayer Call for Offering Offertory Holy Ground Performed by Mark Cassius Gathering Our Gifts Our Journey Of Faith Celebration of Holy Communion Give Us This Day In The Bulb There Is A Flower I Come With Joy Hallelujah (Cohen) Because You Live Benediction Closing Words Closing Song How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

3 First Reading Trust in Life Trust the process of life because it is an incredible journey of wonder, adventure, and evolution that you can experience only in direct proportion to your willingness to trust it. Trust the process because life is on your side. Life wants to encourage you, inspire you, and motivate you, moment by moment, and that can happen only when you trust that life knows exactly what you need, and exactly when you need it... When you trust the process, you will deepen your awareness and understanding of who you are and the meaning of every person and experience you encounter. Happening This Week Rainbow Toastmasters Monday 7:00 p.m. Social Hall Grace & Gratitude AA Monday 7:30 p.m. Triangle B Facility Wednesday Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Expansive Spiritual Gathering Thursday 11:00 a.m. Rm 109 The Choir Thursday 7:00 p.m. Social Hall Second Reading Romans 8: (excerpts) We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose... What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?... Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?... Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the One who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Happening Today TREAT 12:30 p.m. Welcome Centre Blacks in Praise & Worship 12:30 p.m. Sanctuary

4 You are Invited to Join Blacks In Praise and Worship connection diaspora spirituality strength our history Celebrate our vibrant spiritual culture in a rich service filled with singing and prayer from the Caribbean African Canadian Community Meal included. Let us feed your body & soul! New Women s Washroom Now Open By Roy Dean There sure was a lot of work to do when it was decided to renovate the women s washroom. Broken pipes caused a pervasive sewer gas smell. Water damage had rotted out the walls and floor and termites had devoured much of the supports, requiring extensive repairs and upgrades that also created more space for toilet stalls. Extending the room out to the end of the stairs also provided a hallway into the washroom, allowing for a large mirror to be installed with a shelf. The new space also accommodates a brand new under-stair storage closet. A new exhaust fan and a restored window casing improve ventilation and air circulation in the new washroom. New glass blocks now allow natural daylight in as well. The transformation is profound and will give many years of service to the congregation and guests.

5 Men s Retreat Roots & Wings All those who self-identify as male are welcome on this year s men s retreat being held at the Mansfield Outdoor Centre in the Halton Hills. Make new friends Bond with men from MCC Toronto and the community Enjoy the beauty of Ontario s Spring awakening Laugh, sing, play and relax Nurture your spirit and deepen your joy Find Courage for the future Experience personal quiet time and reflection Enjoy great food Celebrate your life!!! Cost is $175 or $100 for young adults (to age 30) and first time attendees, and includes accommodation, meals, and materials. Some subsidies available. Register by May 26. For more info, visit our website or send an to retreat organizer Mike Dodds: mdodds@mcctoronto.com mcctoronto.com/men May Mansfield Centre First Time? If you are visiting MCC Toronto for the very first time, a special welcome to you. Please feel comfortable to participate as fully as you like in the service today. Even if you have never been to church before, you are invited to come forward to share Anointing and Communion. Our services are like an all-you-can-eat buffet for your soul please take generously of anything you need. Funeral Pre-Planning Want to know what it takes to pre-plan a Celebration of Life? Come meet our Funeral Coordinator and Rosar Morrison staff as they walk you through all the steps. Come on May 15th to Room 109, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Light lunch provided by Deb Bennett. deb@dbproperties.ca Sign up by sending an to: funerals@mcctoronto.com Happening Today Thrift Shop All morning Upper Social Hall Elevation Service 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary

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8 Pentecost Community Dinner May 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about 120) and said, Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled (Acts 1:15-16) Join us for our next community meal at a special Pentecost Dinner on May 15 at 4:00 p.m. If you haven t yet attended one of these great communal meals, this is your chance! We plan to feed 120 friends including you! The amazing, tasty, and healthy food will be cooked by Carol Vandersanden and her team of volunteers and all are welcome. There will be no cost to those who eat but donations will be appreciated. Also, for those who can t make it at 4:00, we will serve again immediately following the 7:00 service. This delightful community meal is served in conjunction with the Blacks in Praise & Worship team. Experience their vibrant and inclusive worship service in the Sanctuary before dinner is served! May 15 4:00 p.m. Sign-up in the Social Hall Marilyn Byers (continued) I love how unified this community is. My experience of other churches is that many people exit before the preacher has ended the service. At MCC Toronto, the majority of the congregation remains in the Social Hall for hours following worship. I treasure every Sunday, but one of my most cherished moments is when my son, Kevin, drives me to church and we share time together.. MCC Toronto gives me a place to live my greatest passions community, family, and the love of God. Marilyn Byers MCC Toronto Sandra Millar (continued) However, when my mother died, I could hardly bring myself to come to church on Mother s Day, let alone go forward to join the other mothers at the rail. Time has passed and while memories are occasionally still poignant, I can now face the day with joy! May you all have a blessed day, remembering all that brings joy to your heart. Happy Mother s Day! Sandra Millar MCC Toronto For more events visit our website: